Bailroad-signal



L F. SALCHLL RAILROAD SIGNAL.

APPLxcATloN FILED Nov. 12. 1911.

Patented J une 17, 1919.

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JOHN F. SALOHLI, OF FRANKFURT, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO IDOIVIINICOMARCUCCILLI,

i i 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 17, 1919.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. SALCHLI, a citizen of the United States,`and a resident of Frankfort, in the county of Franklin and State ofKentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Raioad- Signals,of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to signals designed to be positioned at theintersection of thoroughfares with railroads and which are adapted to beactuated by approaching trains to afford notice, by constant movement,of the trains approach. Many accidents occur at railroad crossings dueto lack of warning, or neglect thereof. In many States railroads arerequired to place signs at crossings. These signs, however, merelyindicate that there is a crossing at that point, anda traveler isexpected to exercise due care in approaching the railroad, theyY give nowarning as to the approach of a train. Now man is so constituted that hebecomes accustomed to and eventually oblivious tothe presence of apassive object,

consequently these signs are of little value.

An object of this invention is to providey a sign, or` signal, normallyquiescent but having an element adapted ytoibe agitated, by a trainVupon the approachthereof, thereby attracting by its vsudden movement,the attention of a person approaching the crossmg. 1 Y ,a

. With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, the invention consists'ofthe novel construction and arrangement of parts illustratedin theaccompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, whereinis set forth an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understoodthat such changes and modifications may be resorted to as come withinthe scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate likeparts in the several views, Figure l, is a perspective view of arailroad crossing, showing an embodiment of the invention associatedtherewith: Fig. 2, is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of theactuating lever, showing the normal position thereof in full lines andactuated positions in dotted lines: Fig. 3, a View on line 3-3 of Fig.l.

Referring now to the drawing the reference numeral -1- designates ahighway which crosses a railroad 9- at a point -3-. In proximity to theintersection a standard *tis erected, this standard may be of anysuitable construction, but as illustrated it is quadrangular in crosssection and hollow. At its upper end there is attached the usual Xsignboard -5- associated with signs of this nature. An arm -6` extendsfrom the standard out over the highway. Suspended from the outer end ofthis arm is a rod -7 to the lower end of which a disk -8- is attached. Awarning such as the word Stop may be printed upon the disk. This rod isfree to swing in axvertical plane parallel with said arm and? crossesthe path of an approaching traveler. A second arm 9- which extends fromthe standard at a spaced distanceV below the arm 6 is provided with aslot '10- through which, and by which, the `rod V'7 extendsv and isguided. A rod -.-11, reciprocably mounted in bearings -12,l3- on the arm9,- is provided at its forward end with a lateral projection *I4-f.

adapted tobe broughtinto contact .with the swinging rod `7, to give-it aswinging Ino-` attached to the rear end of the rod 11 is led over apulley -l8- down through the standard to and under 4a pulley -19- at thefoot of the standard, here it divides, and branches 20, 21 extend alongthe railroad, in each direction to connections with suitable devices-22- adapted to be actuated by an approaching train to exert traction onthe respective connectives. As illustrated this actuating devicecomprises a bracket -23- adapted to be secured to a crosstie 24.- and towhich a lever-25- is pivoted at -26-- To the lower end of this lever theconnective 17 is attached. A lateral projection -27- from the lever 25bears against the lower edge of the bracket when the lever is in anormal or vertical position, and is held in, and returned to, thatposition by means of a spring 28. A trip 29- pivotally attached to theupper end of the lever at 30- extends upward in prolongation of thelever a spaced distance suiiicient to be in path of, and be struck by, asuitable projection from a railroad train. A shoulder -31- on the tripnormally rests on a projection 32- on the lever 30, a spring #33 servingto hold it in that position, the arrrngement being such that a trainapproaching the crossing will strike the trip and move it and the leveras a unit, thereby exerting traction on the chain 17, thereby drawingthe rod 11, on the signal post back against the resistance of the spring15. As the rod 11 is drawn back, the projection 14 thereon will comeinto contact with the pendulous rod 7 and carry it with it to the limitof its travel, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As the train movesforward the trip will escape from the contact member thereon, and willbe returned to its normal, vertical position by the spring 33. At thesame time the spring 15 will return the rod 11 to its nor* mal positionreleasing the rod 7 permitting it to swing to and fro. The movement ofthe disk 8 across the line of vision, as it swings to and fro, willattract the attention of a person approaching the intersection and warnhim to observe proper precaution. A train receding from the crossingwill strike the trip, one the reverse side from that against which theoncoming train strikes, causing it to give on the pivot 30, against thepressure of the spring #33, which serves to return it to its normalposition. While' the mechanism for the purpose described may inaccordancewith this invention be varied considerably in the matter ofdetail without departure from the essence and spirit thereofitis to bepointed out that the arrangement shown is one wherein the number ofnecessary parts is reduced to a minimum, and wherein the assemblage mayquickly and easily bc performed, and the signal erected economically.

` Having thus described my invention so that any one skilled in the artpertaining thereto can make and use the same, I claim:

1. In a signal as characterized, a pendulate member, and means adaptedto be actuated by an approaching train to impart motion to said member,said member being permitted to oscillate freely until stopped byfriction.

2. In a signal as characterized, a pendulate member, means in proximitythereto, said member thereupon swinging without further urge untilstopped by friction of its bearings and of the air for imparting motionthereto, distant means adapted to be actuated by a passing train, andoperative connections between said means.

3. In a signal as characterized, a pendulate member, a guide therefor, asliding member on said guide adapted to be brought into contact with thependulate member, a distant member adapted to be actuated by a passingtrain, and operative connections between said sliding and distantmembers.

1. A post, a lateral arm extended therefrom, a pendu-late member carriedby said arm, a second lateral arm adapted to guide said member, a rodslidably mounted on saidl second arm, said rod provided with aprojection adapted to be brought into contact with said member, adistant `member adapted to vbe actuated by an approaching train, andoperative means connecting said distant member' and the rod. Y

5. In a railroad signal a'pendulate member normally hanging verticallyand free to oscillate in a vertical'plane, anoscillating member normallylying beyond the path of travel of said pendulatemember and adapted toVbe brought into contact therewithand move same fromrits' verticalposition, and means for returningsaid actuating member to itsnormahposition thereby permitting the pendulate member to oscillatefreely until it comes :to rest. l JOIYINF. SALCHLI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve centseach, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 2D.' C.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 1,306,857, granted June17, 1919, upon the application of John F. Salchli, of Frankfort,Kentucky, for an improvement in Railroad-Signals, Were erroneouslyissued to Dominico Marcuccilli, as assignee of the entire interest insaid invention, Whereas said Letters Patent should have been issued t0the inventor, said Salcili, and Dominica Marcuccilli, jointly, saidassignee being owner of one-half only of said invention, as shown by therecords of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read With this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the case in the Patent Office. i

Signed and sealed this 29th day of July, A. D., 1919.

J. T. NEWTON,

Commissioner of Patents.

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